Treble Control

Bass Control
0230-0206rC

PO BOX 4394
SANTA ROSA, CA
95402 USA

P (707) 525-9941
F (707) 575-7046
EMGPICKUPS.COM

INSTALLATION INFORMATION
EMG MODEL: BTC CONTROL High Frequency
Selection dip-switch
(ACTIVE / PASSIVE PICKUP INPUT)
SPECIFICATIONS
Input Impedance (Ohms) 1 MegOhm INCLUDED:
Gain/Attenuation/ Frequency Bass Control +/-12db/20Hz 1 BTC Control
Gain/Attenuation/ Frequency Teble Control +/-12db/(Adjustable) 1 Set Concentric Knobs
Input Referred Noise -120dbV 1 Battery Clip with Buss Connector
Output Impedance (Ohms) 2K 1 Stereo Output Jack (Battery Switching)
Recommended Supply Voltage 18 Volts 4 Interconnect Cables (2 Red, 2 White)
Current @ 9V/18V (Microamps) 600/740
Battery Life (Hours) 750
Maximum Supply (Volts DC) 27 Volts

General Operation
The BTC Control is a 2-band equalizer for Bass guitar. The BTC features single-pole filters for broadband equalization. Often the broader
single-pole filters are preferred for musical instruments because they are less selective, easier on the ear, and sound more “musical”. One of
the features of the BTC Control is a 2-position dip-switch that controls the slope of the high frequency response. By choosing one of the four
combinations the high frequency response can be tailored to your liking. The BTC Control has a high input impedance and can be used with active
or passive pickups. Bass and Treble controls are mounted on a concentric shaft and knobs are included.
Battery Power:
If you play the instrument very hard, and are boosting the bass or treble with the BTS, you should consider operating the instrument on +18
Volts (2 Batteries in series, see page 4). If you play mildly and use a minimum of boost the instrument should operate easily on a single 9-Volt
battery. Use an Alkaline or Lithium battery for the best battery life and always unplug your guitar when you’re not using it.

Dimensions: 6 x 9mm
.937 D Shaft
BTC (Bass/Treble) (24)
8 x 4mm
Equalizer .538
(14) 9 x 9mm
.392 P .75
(10)
VOLTS + .077 x .077 Slot
(2mm)
OUTPUT
GROUND 1.813
GROUND
(46)
INPUT
.875
(22.2)

.875
1.000 (22.2)
(25.4)

Warranty
All EMG Pickups and accessories are warranted for a period of two years. This warranty does not cover failure due to improper installation, abuse or damage. If
upon examination the pickup is determined to be defective, a replacement will be made. Warranty replacement products are covered by this same warranty. This
warranty covers only those pickups and accessories sold by authorized EMG Dealers. This warranty is not transferable.
© 2010 Copyright EMG INC. All Rights Reserved.
 Installation Instructions:
EMG Model: BTC Control BTC CONTROL (BASS BOOST & CUT RESPONSE)
High Frequency Response Selection:
The BTC has the added feature of allowing you to choose from 4 different
high frequency response curves. This is a nice feature especially if you are

10 dB/div
using the BTC with passive pickups. The following diagrams show the dip-switch
positions and the graphs show the resultant frequency response.
The BTC Control is an equalizer style control, offering both boost and cut
at the same frequency locations. The controls feature a center detent (notch)
that lets you know when no equalization is in effect.
20Hz 1KHz 10KHz
ON/ON ON/OFF

BTC CONTROL (TREBLE RESPONSE: ON/ON) BTC CONTROL (TREBLE RESPONSE: 1 ON/2 OFF)
10 dB/div

20Hz 1KHz 10KHz 20Hz 1KHz 10KHz

OFF/OFF OFF/ON

BTC CONTROL (TREBLE RESPONSE: 1 OFF/2 OFF) BTC CONTROL (TREBLE RESPONSE: 1 OFF/2 ON)

10 dB/div
10 dB/div

20Hz 1KHz 10KHz 20Hz 1KHz 10KHz

The BTC Control is easily installed by using the connector cables supplied.
Diagram #1 shows the cables connected to the BTC Control. This 5-pin NOTE REVERSED
layout is the same for all EMG Accessories, so they can be interchanged. INPUT CONNECTOR

There are a variety of ways instruments can be wired. The examples shown
here are only a few. If your instrument has different wiring than shown here
go to our website: http://www.emgpickups.com for alternate diagrams. Diagram #1

Diagram #2 below shows the installation of a single Volume control along with
the BTC Control.

Diagram #2
Master Volume
BTC Control BATTERY
BUSS

- 9V +
R
NOTE REVERSED S
CONNECTOR!
RED TO 9V + BUSS
VOLUME OUTPUT TO JACK
B122rH T
OUTPUT INPUT
VOLUME
BTC
CONTROL

OUTPUT CABLE

BTC Control Page 2

 Installation Instructions:
EMG Model: BTC Control
2 Pickups, 2 Volume controls, BTC Control, no selection switch
J-Bass Style wiring
Refer to Diagram #3
1) Install the Pickups and route the Pickup cables to the control cavity.
If the cables are too long, keep any excess under the pickup.
2) Mount the Volume and Tone controls into the body / pickguard.
Plug the Neck Pickup Cable onto the Neck Volume control.
Plug the Bridge Pickup Cable onto the Bridge Volume control.
3) Plug a coax cable from the Neck Volume control to the Bridge Volume
control.
4) Plug a coax cable from the Bridge Volume control to the BTC Control.
5) Plug the output cable from the BTC Control and connect the output
wires to the output jack by pushing the connectors on as shown.
WHITE wire onto the TIP (T) contact,
BLACK wire onto the SLEEVE (S) contact
BLACK Battery Negative wire onto the RING (R) contact.
6) Plug the RED Wires of the pickups onto the V+ Supply Buss (RED Shroud)
along with the RED of the battery clip.
Extra pins on the V+ Supply Buss are for EMG Accessories.
7) Put the battery in the insulating foam piece provided and place it securely
in the control cavity.
We suggest that you plug in the instrument and test it before closing the
control cavity.
BATTERY
BUSS

NOTE REVERSED
CONNECTOR!
Diagram #3
Volume / Volume
BTC Control BRIDGE PICKUP - 9V +
R
S
NECK BRIDGE BTC
VOLUME VOLUME CONTROL
B122rH

T OUTPUT
B122rH
NECK PICKUP

VOLUME VOLUME

OUTPUT CABLE

Installation (Two Pickup Guitars with Selection switch): BRIDGE PICKUP INPUT
Guitars with two pickups and a selection switch will use the EMG B245 Pickup Buss NECK PICKUP INPUT
shown at the right in Diagram #4a. OUTPUT
The Pickup Buss is a convenient way to wire your guitar without soldering.
There is a separate sheet attached to these instructions that describes the
Pickup Buss in detail.
In all installations it’s best to find a place to mount the Pickup Buss in the control PLUG IN
Diagram #4a LIKE THIS!
cavity before starting. Then, after the cables are routed use the velcro to mount it
securely.
2 Pickups / Toggle Select Switch / Master Volume and BTC Control

1) Install the Pickups and route the Pickup cables to the control cavity.
If the cables are too long, wind up the excess and keep it under the pickup.
2) Mount the Volume and Tone controls into the body.
Plug both Pickup cables into the Pickup Buss (BLACK Shroud) as shown,
Refer to Diagram #4a
Bridge Pickup to Position 1
Neck Pickup to Position 2.
3) Plug a coax cable from the Pickup Buss (Position 3) to the Master Tone (Active)
as shown in Diagram #4b. Note the reversed connector on pins 1 and 2.
4) Plug a coax cable from the Master Tone (ACTIVE) to the Master Volume as shown.
5) Strip the insulation from the switch wires and Insert them into the GREEN
Terminal Block and tighten the screws with a small screwdriver.
The Bridge pickup goes to the BR Terminal
The Neck pickup goes to the NK Terminal
The Output of the switch goes to the O Terminal
If there is a ground wire coming from the switch, insert it into one of the black
terminals on the terminal block.
BRIDGE PICKUP
OUTPUT
NECK PICKUP
6) Plug the output cable onto the Master Volume control and connect the output
wires to the output jack and push the connectors onto the jack as shown.
WHITE wire onto the TIP (T) contact,
BLACK wire onto the SLEEVE (S) contact
BLACK Battery Negative wire onto the RING (R) contact.
7) Plug the RED Wires of the pickups onto the V+ Supply Buss (RED Shroud)
along with the RED of the battery clip, and the RED wire of the Active Tone Control.
Extra pins on the V+ Supply Buss are for EMG Accessories.
8) Put the battery in the insulating foam piece provided and place it securely in the
control cavity.
We suggest that you plug in the instrument and test it before closing the
control cavity.

- 9V +
BATTERY
NEG (-)
GROUND
NOTE:
REVERSED CONNECTOR
NECK P/U

BTC
RED CONTROL
OUTPUT
RED R
BRIDGE P/U S
Diagram #4b
RED
2 Pickups MASTER
Toggle Style Select Switch BRIDGE PICKUP VOLUME
B122rH T
BTC Control
Master Volume
VOLUME

NECK PICKUP OUTPUT CABLE

BTC Control Page 3
 MASTER VOLUME AND
BTC CONTROL REVERSED
Diagram #5
ABC Balance Control NECK
Master Volume PICKUP
ABC MASTER BTC OUTPUT
BTC Control CONTROL VOLUME CONTROL JACK
Output Jack BRIDGE
PICKUP

9V+ POWER BUSS

RED

- 9V +
BATTERY
NEG (-) BLACK

RED WIRES B118

FROM PICKUPS ACTIVE BALANCE NOTE REVERSED
CONTROL RED CONNECTOR! OUTPUT
EMG Active Neck Pickup
MASTER
(Upper 3 pin header) VOLUME
B122rH
R
EMG Active Bridge Pickup S
(Lower 3 pin header)
VOLUME
BTC
RED CONTROL
T
OUTPUT CABLE BOTTOM
VIEW

Diagram #6 Diagram #7
If the instrument has a Battery Holder: +18 Volt Wiring Option:
If your instrument has a 9 or 18-Volt battery holder you can still If you want to operate your instrument at +18 Volts for more
use the EMG Connectors to supply power to the pickups. headroom then use 2 batteries wired as below.
Simply cut and strip the wires from the battery clip provided. Also, if you are using any type of EQ in your instrument
Twist the wires together (Red to Red and Black to Black) and (EMG-BT, BQ) or anything that boosts the pickup signal then
use the shrink tubing included to cover the connections. +18 Volts is recommended.
Soldering the wires is recommended.
RED TO BATTERY BUSS (+18Volts)
Cover these connections with the - 9V +
BLACK
Solder the Black and Red
shrink tubing provided.
wires together and cover
the connection with shrink
RED to BATTERY OR PICKUP BUSS tubing, or other insulation.
9/18 VOLT RED R
BATTERY - 9V +
HOLDER BLACK to RING terminal
BLACK to RING terminal S T
of the Output Jack of the Output Jack

Diagram #8 Diagram #9
Soldering to the 152B Panel Jack: Soldering to the battery buss:
If your instrument has a long Panel Jack like the one below If your instrument has an older EMG Pickup you can solder the
you will have to solder the output cable as shown. pickup RED wire to the buss. Simply use some needle nose pliers,
Ground (Black) to the Sleeve pull out the V+ header and solder the RED Wire from the pickup(s)
Signal (White) to the Tip to any of the pins and then re-insert the header into the housing.
Battery Negative (Black) to the Ring

RED to BATTERY BUSS

- 9V +
BATTERY
NEG (-)

RING
FROM TONE SLEEVE
OR VOLUME 1 2 3
TIP

BTC Control Page 4